High Jump, Men

The 1972 bronze medalist, Dwight Stones, was by now the world’s best jumper. He had broken the world record in 1983 with 2.30 (7-6½) and had bettered that in 1976, his last world record being at 2.32 (7-7¼). Also an excellent competitive jumper, he was heavily favored going into Montréal though he lost popularity with the local crowd by making unkind remarks about French-Canadians before the competition. But the final was held on a cool, rainy day, and Stones technique demanded great speed in his take-off – he hated to jump in the rain. After 2.21 (7-3) in the final only four jumpers remained, with Stones in second, trailing the surprising Jacek Wszoła of Poland. Wszoła then got over 2.23 (7-3¾) on his first attempt, as did Canada’s Greg Joy, to the delight of the Montréal crowd. Stones failed at that height and had to settle for his second consecutive bronze medal. Wszoła and Joy both cleared 2.25 (7-4½), the Pole in his second attempt and the Canadian on his third, settling gold and silver. It was a rare success for Canada in what proved a difficult track and field programme for them. Wszoła beat the record of Charlie Dumas from 1956 to become the youngest Olympic champion in this discipline. Four days later, Stones broke the world record with 2.32 (7-7¼) at a meet in Philadelphia.